The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 71

Author: Morris, John M., ed
Publication date: 1863
Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck
Number of Pages: 886

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We were all prisoners, 2,500 men ; 1 General, 3 Colonels, ce., de. We aseertained that the enemy had 12,000 men there, and 50 guns. They had lost 1,500, we had lost 125.

At first, tho surgeons were marched out with the prisoners. But Dr. Nickerson, Assistant-Sur- geon of our regiment, being a mason of high rank, communicated with a rebel colonel, also a mason of high rank, and explaining to him the position of our wounded in town, requested permission for the medical officers to return and attend to them. This the said colonel procured at once, and thus we returned to our hospitals. We were well treat- ed in the main. Such things as forcing a number of sick men to exchange their boots and shoes for the broken shoeleather of the rebs, did cceur ; also a thorough plundering was carried on. But eruelties were not perpetrated. The fact of their sending ten wounded negroes into my hospital to be attended to, convinces me, tbat with the con- sent of the officers, no negroes were killed. They provided us liberally with food while at Plymouth. The prisoners were marched to Tarboro, N. C. Tho General and staff, with the four Surgeons and two Chuplains were sent to Libby Prison, Va. The wounded and sick were left at Plymouth, N. C., in charge of three of our assistant-surgeons, aided by four Hospital Stewards.

One more fact, allow me to record: when the moment of surrender came, the color guard of the 16th C. V., aided by the Lieut .- Col. commanding, and the Adjutant burned the flag of the regiment, to keep it from falling into rebel hands,

LITTLE MARE.

For the Connecticut War Record. The Eleventh Regiment.

CAMP OF THE ELEVENTH CONN. VOLS., May 20th, 1864.

DEAR FRIEND AND EDITOR :- We are in camp near the Appomattox, nbout half n mile below Port Walthal and in sight of it. Thence our line of defenses stretch to the James-a short line and now n strong one, not only by naturo but by hu- man hands also, for of late we havo dug like moles and like them worked part of the time at least in darkness. The last week has proved that we could fight: we are now giving visible

The transport Massasoit started at midnight for Roanoke Island, with her cargo of women and children, citizens and non-combatants. In the the flag on Fort Williams, looking fairer than ever. morning began a brisk cannonade of Fort Gray, | There the General was, refusing to surrender, and up the river. The Bombshell, a small gunboat, returning no reply to the repeated demands of the which steamed up to bring ammunition to this enemy. Fast boomed his guns, and kept the foe land tangible evidence that we can dig.

fort, while returning, was made a target of the rebel batteries, and being struck by eighteen solid

at a distance. But ammunition failed; there was nothing to hope for, naught to expect. At noon, shot, just succeeded in running ashore below the the white flag appeared ; the glorious old banner town, ere her hold was full of water.

Our pickets lay in the bushes about one quarter mile from the breastworks. Here it was that Captain Thomas Burke of the Sixteenth Connec-

There had been no shelling of the town all that day ; it seems that the enemy brought their pieces into position. At five o'clock, P. M., on the 18th, they opened from about forty guns, and continued to shell incessantly for about an hour. The re- doubt of the 85th N. Y., which had defended it | self heroically, was assaulted several times that night by superior numbers, and finally taken. It was only taken, however, when every offieer there had been killed or wounded. On Tuesday morn- ing at three o'clock, the rebel ram Albemarle slipped down the river alnost unperceived. Capt. Flusser commanding two gunboats, had fastened them together in the hope of catching the ram be- tween, and then setting his engines to work to run it aground. The ram was upon him, however, too quick, sunk one gunboat, the Southfield, and drove the other away, after the commander had been killed by the rebound of one of his own shells from the iron-clad walls of the enemy's ves- sell. The rain then took position below town. Our communications were thus cut off, and the surrender became merely a question of time; a

On the 20th, early in the morning, the enemy erossed the creek, and took the town by assault pany of the Second Mass, Artillery, which held the fort on thnt side, were too much frightened to

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

217

Monday the Uth of May, at dawn, we were filing out in long procession towards the arteries and nerves binding Petersburg and Richmond. We cut the last, as our pioneers felled the tele- graph poles alongside the famous old turnpike, which is surely a broad, well wrought road-the Appian way of this part of the Old Dominiou. We tapped the artery by ripping up some miles of the railroad, and thus destroying as we went, and fight- Ilouse Creek, formed in line of battle on the left of 'the pike, and advancing crossed to the right of the turnpike and there did our part in clearing the Rebs out of the woods and driving them across Swift Creek.

It would be a small thing in the annals of war, but the 11th suffered a loss of two killed and teu wounded, and it was to me memorable, for then for the first time I came under fire.

Tuesday wo came back to our camp, and taking one day for rest, set ont very early on Thursday the 12th, for the turnpike, but to turn North feel- ing and fighting our way towards Rielmond. Skirmishing and shelling cost us two killed and twelve wounded. It was raining; our feet were wet for three days. At night we lay down in wet clothes and on wet ground.

BERMUDA HUNDRED. Va., May 25th, 1864. 5 Warm coffee, the luxury and medicine of soldiers, could not be had; for as usual we were in the front, in the advance, by night and by day, and Mr. Editor :-- Your last correspondent from the Battery left us quietly reposing amid the shades of the pines on Folly Island. those little fires of wet sticks on the ground, cush- ioned with damp pine tassels, though only large enough to warm three or four black coffee cups, At that time we little thought that May Day might call dowu the big fire of rebel guns. Slowly. cautiously we advanced, just at the right of the Virginia and North Carolina. turnpike, tbe left of our brigade (the 2d of the From the very first we had been located in the 2d Division, 18th Army Corps,) skirting the road. We bad passed Kingsland Creek; we were beyond the half-way house. Saturday, the ing our term of service. But suddenly a new order of things prevailed. The Tenth Army Corps, with which we are connected, was ordered to General first line of defenses, reaching out as a spur from Fort Darling, were taken. Our sharpshooters hid behind thein, and eraek, crack, went the rifles as continuously as the strokes of a blacksmith's hammer. We are eight and one half miles from active scenes of a campaign against Richmond. Manchester. We talked of supping at Libby. We encamped for a short time at Gloucester Point, Va .. and there prepared ourselves for active field service, by sending away for storage to Nor-, folk, Va., all the surplus stores and clothing. Some of us have-too many of us; for Monday morning. in the gray of the dawn, if there could be a dawn when the fog was thick enongh, hours afterwards, to hide the sun as if in an eclipse, the rebels opened on our right with war and war ery. They got in the rear of our lines, towards the James; they drove baek a brigade on the left of | short distance above City Point, where we disem- the turnpike ; they came down with heavy blows on our front. The 11th did splendidly. They stood close to the log breastwork thrown up on Sunday to shelter us from sharpshooters, and they hurled baek leaden hail and death, held in reserve till the rebels eame near. There was the con- stant erack and crash of musketry ; there was the heavy boom of our Parrott guns: there was the whizz of balls as they whipped by, almost tiugling the ear; there was the short sputter, as one struck tree or ground close by your side. There was not much need of words of command or of cheer on our part, for our brave boys knew i several hours the enemy retreated. Our loss in their duty and they did it. But amid all this din this action was two men wounded,-privates Hall and thunder of carnage I could hear the yells of and Wakely. - and two horses killed.

it being supposed that Brooks had regained his | (killed) on the field. One officer, Lieutenant Met- ground on the left. We went back, without | calf, mortally wounded, died the next day. Ten support ou either flank. took agaiu our former meu wounded, and ten horses killed.

place, and as the enemy had advanced mean. : Again, on the 15th, the Battery engaged the en- while to our line, we for the time then gave them emy's works. Here we had one man wounded and speedy death. But to stay, with eross fires raking a wheel destroyed on one of the gun carriages, by our entire but now shortened regimental line was ; a >bell from the rebel battery.

annihilation or capture. A retreat was ordered,

Finding the enemy too strong for us, our forces and executed as best it could, but not coolly nor | retired to their entrenchments on the 16th, where ing when we met the enemy, We crossed Baker |in the firm line of the first. Now was the time of | we now remain. During these six days of con- of the enemy. We lost heavily : fourteen were tinued marching and fighting, the battery has re- ceived the praise of those in authority, and has added to the good reputation which it had pre- viously gained doring two and a half years of ser- vice in the department of the South. killed, 54 wonuded, 112 missing. Capt. MeDou- ald and Lieut. Jared E. Lewis were captured. Lts. Keaszynski and Blackman were wounded. Twice after that we formed in line of battle, and advanced, but the fighting was over. We stood We deeply feel the loss of our senior, First Lieutenant George Metcalf, who has been with the battery from its organization. An efficient officer, a kind hearted gentleman, and an earnest dd it without faltering, suffering much but not | patriot: his death is a loss to the battery, the the shock and dealt the enemy heavy, telling killing blows. We advanced again, on a mad errand, obeying an order founded on error. Wel State, and the country. without giving more, and finally we were among the last to leave the field, and in the cool of the day came slowly, sadly into camp.

H. S. DE F.

From the First Connecticut Light Battery.

We buried him in a lovely spot on the banks of the James, in the family. burial ground of a loyal Virginian.

" Ile sleeps his last sleep-he has fought his last battle,

No sound can awake him to glory again."

The following is a list of the killed and wound- ed np to May 20th.

Killed-First Lientenant George Metcalf and would witness our transfer to the Department of private Henry L. Wilmot.

Wounded .- Sergeant Elijah C. Tuttle, and Pri- vates Charles Richardson, J. II. Reynolds, A. E. Department of the South, and the fates seemed to , Leonard, C. N. Bissell, Hart Landon, Curtis Ba- be determined that there we should remain dur. con. Thomas Sullivan, Frederick Besley, Peter McGee, M. M. Hall, and E. Wakely.

The battery is now on duty in the entrench- ments at the front, expecting to take the field Butler's department; and on the morning of April again as soon as Gen. Butler is ready to move 20th the Battery left South Carolina for the more ; upon the enemy's works. T.

The Post Office address is: First Conn. Light Battery, First Division, Tenth Army Corps, Fort Monroe, Va.

A few days sufficed to put the Battery in fight .. ing trim; and on the 6th of May we proceeded up ; We have been furnished by the former excel- the James river to Bermuda Hundred Landing, a lent Post Chaplain, with a sketch of this regiment. OFFICERS OF THE THIRTIETH REGIMENT.

barked. With the Tenth Corps we then marched Cipt. Charles Robinson, Co. 1. Capt. R. was towards the Petersburgh and Richmond railroad . formerly Sergeant in Co. C, 18th Regiment C. V., and turnpike. That night we encamped about two was taken prisoner at the battle of Winchester, miles from the railroad.

Va., and was held in Richmond three weeks. Being senior Captain he has command of the regiment. He is a fine officer and worthy man.

On the 9th we continued our march to the road, and proceeded towards Petersburgh. The Tenth : Capt. R. K. Woodruff of the 30th, enlisted in fand Eighteenth Corps, having destroyed several the 13th Regiment C. V., and was Corporal at the miles of railroad track and the telegraph line, halt- time of his appointment. Capt. W. was a member ed near Petersburgh. On the morning of the 10th an engagement took place between our forces and of Yale College, Class of '63, when he entered the service. He is a man of superior culture, and de- serves the position which he occupies. the rebels near Chester Station. In this action Capt. A. L. Loomis of this regiment was a pri- the Battery was engaged. After a sharp fight of; rate in Co. C, 18th Regiment C. V., at the time of his promotion. Capt. L. is thorough, accurate and energetic, and in every way a good officer. lle is the man to bravely lead on his soldiers, or the man to faithfully follow in this struggle.

the rebs as a fresh force came on, wave after First Lient. Charles Ulrich, Adjutant of the wave, for which we were the waiting rock. Again, on the 12th, our forces moved towards Richmond, and carried a line of earthworks near | Soth, was formerly Sergeant Major in the 25th l'ut our flank was now exposed. We were or. Hered back, and we came off in good order; but, after falling back about a quarter of a mile, we were the " half-way house" ou the turnpike. On the' 14th, we attacked the second line, but failed to carry it. In this engagement,-the severest in ordered to the old place, behind our log defenses, ( which we have been thus far, -- we lost one inan

C. V. He with Adjutant, now Major Ward of the 29th C. V., were the first men to volunteer to storm the works at Port Hudson, after our first assault and repulse. Adjutant Ulrich is a man of pleasing address, of true and tried courage. He,

The Thirtieth Infantry.

1864.]

llo fell on the field of battle, bravely fighting for the common cause; he died at his post as the soldier dies.

218

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

[JUNE,

with that capable and unassuming officer, Adjutant Ward, was ever found ready to do and dare while connected with the 25th.

First Lieut. George Greenman was a Corporal in Co. C, 18th Regiment C. V., when promoted to the 30th. He was taken prisoner at the battle of ! Winchester, and remained at Richmond one month.

First Lieut. A. S. Mather was also a Corporal in ; Company C, Isth Regiment C. V., when pro-1 moted and transferred to the 30th. He was taken prisoner at Winchester.

First Lient. George Leach was a private in the 7th Regiment, C. V. Ile has behaved with marked | with rank from Slay 5, 1864, vice Gore, discharged. coolness and credit in all the battles in which has gallant regiment has participated.

Second Lieut. John E. Wheelock, of Co. D, 30th Regiment, was formerly commeeted with al New York regiment. Lieut. W. is a superior rank from May 5, 1864, viee Phillips resigned. man and officer. Possessing an excellent business

1-t Lient, Chiles II. Brigg, to be Captain, with education, amiable and earnest, kind to his men, rank from May 5, 1864, vice Marey, promoted. he is admired by all who know him.

Second Lieut. Case, of New Hartford, was in ; with rank from May 5, 1864, viee Briggs, promo- the nine months service, and is well known in our . ted. State as an able lawyer and an earnest defender of : liberty and emancipation.

Second Lieut. 11. A. Bingham was a private in charged.

Co. C, 18th Regiment C. V., when promoted. : Lient .- Col. Erastus Blakeslee to be Colonel, He was taken prisoner at the battle of Win -; with rank from May 27, 1864, vice Fish, dis- chester. missed.

Here we would not fail to notice the valuable! services rendered the regiment by Dr. C. V. R. from May 27, 1864, vice Blakeslee, promoted. Creed of New Haven. Ile has held the position of Acting Assistant Surgeon in the regiment. The 2D CONN. ARTILLERY. . sanitary condition of the men was remarkably good under his careful treatment. We sincereh frank from May 13, 1864, vice Smith, resigned. liope the Dr. will be made head Surgeon of this !

Captain Jeffrey Skinner to be Major, with rank fine regiment, a position for which he is well qual- : from May 13, 1864, vice Hubbard, promoted.

ified aud to which he is entitled. Dr. C. is mi -; versally respected and beloved by the men for his' courtesy and unwearied interest in their welfare. !

Od Lieut George P. Bliss to be Ist Lieut., with He was commissioned by Gov. Andrewsas Assistant ; rank from May 25th, 1864, vice Metealf, killed in action.

Surgeon of the Massachusetts 35th Regiment, (col-| ored.) But the death of his wife soon after he Ist Sergt. Sylvanns C. Dickenson to be 2d accepted the appointment, rendered it necessary . Lient , with rank from May 25, 1864, vice Bliss, that he should resign in order to care for his . promoted. family. GTH REGIMENT.

The men of the 30th Regiment are of a very Ist Lieut. George Soder to be Captain, with exeellent class in morals, drill, and efficiency. A rank from May 25, 1864, vice Allen, deceased. large number of the men have left comfortable Ist Lient. Bennett S. Lewis to be Captaia. situations and pleasant homes for the sake of with rank from May 25, 1864, vice Wileox, killed striking a blow for freedom. There is a marked in battle.

degree of intelligence among them. One Sergeant : 1st Lieut. Dwight A. Woodruff to be Captain, is a graduate of Oberlin University, and there ate, with rank from May 25, 1864, vice Eaton, killed quite a number of non-commissioned officers and in battle.

privates who have received a good scholiste enla-1 2d Lieut. Sidaey M. Hicks to be Ist Lieut., with cation. Several of the men speak the German, rank from May 25, 1854, vice Soder, promoted. French and Spanish languages fluently, being their. ed Lieut. Henry I. Stanley to be Ist Lieut., native tongues. A healthier or more bardy set of : with rank from May 25. 1864. vier Lonis, resigned. 2d lieut. Iliram L. Grant to be Ist Lieut., with

men is seldom found. Considerable religious inter. ; est developed itself' in the Both before their de. . rank from May 25, 1864, vice Lewis, promoted. parture. Sixteen of the men manifested their de- [ 2] Lieut. Gottlieb Filderbrand to he Ist Lieut., sire and purpose to become disciples of Christ at a ' with rank from May 25, 1864, vice Woodruff, pro- inoted.

single prayer meeting.

Many pledged themselves to a temperate and godly life, and will endeavor earnestly to keep the , rank fioin May 25, 1864, vice Ilicks, promoted. pledge.

Fergt. Andrew Grogan to be 2d Lient., with

Ist Sergt. Frederick Striby, jr. to be 2d Lieut ,

Companies A, B, and C, numbering about three ' with rank from May 25th, 1864, vice Stanley. hundred men, were ordered to Annapolis, and promoted. are now eneamped there. The men made a fine 1st Sergt. Woodbury II. Stalee to be 2d Lieut. with rank from May 25th, 1864, vice Ililderbrand, promoted. appearance as they marelied to the boat, and not - one was found absent at roll call after the regi- ment embarked. This regiment is composed of Sergt, George Bellows, to be 2d Lieut., with good material, and, bring well officered, will honor rank from May 25th, 1864, vice Grant, pro- muted.

themselves and add fresh laurels to our cause. The three companies have, we understand, been

2d Lient. Norman Provost to be Ist Lieut., with

Serg't John P. Connell to be 2d Lieut. with five men, remained at the Conscript Camp, and . rank from May Sist, 1864, vice Provost, pro-

consolidated with other companies at Annapolis, Frank from May 31, 1864, vice Bradley, deceased. forining a regiment. Company D. mmmmbering sixty. as few recruits were received, they were consoli- ; moted. dated with the 31st U. S. Infantry. Wherever, 7TH REGIMENT. these colored soldiers go, may God's blessing attend them. Many conversions occurred in the Roth while it remained at the camp in Fair Haven. J. E.

2d Lieut. Charles A. Woods to be Ist Lieut. with rank from May 2, 1864, vice

Serg't Frank Hull to be Lient, with rank from May 2, 1864, vice Wood, promoted.

11TH REGIMENT.

2d Lieut. Horace L. Harvey, to be Ist Lieut., with rank from May 11th, 1864, vice Allen, pro- moted.

1-t Sergt. David A. Huag, to be 2d Lieut., with rank from May 11th, 1864, vice Ilarvey, pro- mnotel.

Ist Sergt. Smith S. Gilbert, to be 2d Lieut., with rank from May 11th, 1864, vice Simmons, promoted.

Ist Sergt. Samuel W. Pray, to be 2d Lieut., with rank from May 11th, 1864, viee Ilorne, pro- inoted.

15TH REGIMENT.

Private Frederick Elser, to be 2d Lieut., with rank from May 11th, 1861, vice Iline, resigned.

2IST REGIMENT.

1st Lient. Delos D. Brown, to be Captaia, with rank from May 31st, 1861, vice Johnson, pro- moted.

2d Lieut. Frank Fowler, to be Ist Lieut., with rank from May 31st, 1861, vice Brown, pro- moted.

Ist Sergt. John F. French, to be 2d Lieut., with rauk from May 31st, 1864, vice Fowler, pro- moted.

Sergeant Major O. D. Glazier, to be 2d Lieut., with rank from May 31st, 1861, vice Hubbell, promoted. Ist Sergt. John B. Brown, to be 2d Lient., with rank from May 31st, 1861, vice Roberts, dis- charged.

Lieut. Col. Erastns Blakeslee, of the 1st Conn. Cavalry, has been promoted to be Colonel of that excellent regiment. Colonel Blakeslee left Yale College to enter the service. He eulisted in the first squadron of Connecticut cavalry, and has by steady, faithful and dilligent service earned the position of honor and responsibility to which he is elevated. As he has filled every subordinate position with fidelity and efficiency, so we may be sure that he will still do credit to himself, honor to the State, and splendid service to the nation.

Major Brayton Ives is promoted to be Lieut. Colonel of the 1-t Conn. Cavalry. Lieut. Colonel Ives has been but a short time a member of the regiment. Ile entered the service as Adjutant of the 5th C. V., was promoted to be Captain, and had a position on the Staff of General O. S. Feriy. lle will unquestionably prove a brave and ofii- cient officer.

Lieutenant Colonel George A. Washburn, V. R. C., is now iu command of the Twentieth Reg ment Veteran Reserves, at the barracks be- tween Washington and Alexandria. All but hity of the regiment have gone to the front to attend the removal of our wounded. Nearly the who'e regiment have been sent to the rear of the army to care for the wounded and assist in removing thetn.

A. B. Chapin, a native of Granby, Conn., and a resident of Goldsboro, N. C., recently fled from rebeldom, entering our lines at Plymouth, N. C., just before the attack on that place. Being a physician he was appointed assistant surgeon, and Is now at Hampton losptal, doing service be- neath the old flag which he has never ceased to love. Mr. Chapin has hitherto avoided conseription, but could no longer escape. Determined bever to enter the army to fight against his country, he risked his life in an attempt to reach our lines, and was fortunate enough to succeed.

COLONEL IFENRY CASE .- The correspondent of the New York Tribune with Sherman's advance, in a recent letter to that paper, speaks in the highest terms of the conduct of Colonel lleury Case of the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Illi- nois Regiment, in the late fights in which General Thomas army has been engaged. Colonel Care is a brother of S. B. Case, of Norwich, and formerly resided here. Graduating at Yale, he studied law with Judge MeCurdy. Removing to Illinois, the war found him one of the first to go. Declining a coloneley then, he enlisted as a private, and has worked up to his present position.

Norwich Courier.

Gen. Butler has issued an order forbidding the disintermest of the bodies of noy soldier buried in the Department of Virginia and North Carolina until the month of October.

PERSONAL.

List of Appointments and Promotions in the Connecticut Volunteer Force during May, 1864

IST CONN. CAVALRY.

2d Lieut. Wm. E. Riley to be Ist Lieut., with rank from April 29, 1864, vice Strong, discharged. 2d Lieut Wm. C. Spellman, to be Ist Lient.,

1st Fergt. John R. Skidmore, to be 2d Lieut., with rank from May 5, 1864, vice Spellman, pro- motel.

Ist Sergt. Win. I Haven, to be 2d Lieut., with

2d Lieut. IJenry T. Phillips, to be Ist Lieut.,

Major Erastus Blakeslee to be Lieut .- Col., with rank from May 21, 1864, vice Farnsworth, dis-

Major Brayton Ives to be Lieut .- Col., with rank

Major James IFubbard to be Lieut -Col., with

IST LIGHT BATTERY.

219

THE CONNECTICUT WAR RECORD.

1864.]

Capt. Ilenry l'. Goddard of Norwich has been . honorably discharged, on account of continued . disability resulting from severe wounds received at the battle of Chancellorsville. Captain God dard went out in the Fourteenth Regiment as Serge int Major, was promoted to be Lieutenant. and then made ordnance officer of the artillery brigade of the Second Army Corps with the rank of Captain. He is a brother of Lieutenant Alfre 1 M. Goddard of the Eighth Regiment, who Tell bravely in the recent aivance on the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad.

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The Connecticut war record, 1863-1865, Part 71

Author: Morris, John M., ed Publication date: 1863 Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck Number of Pages: 886

Author: Morris, John M., ed
Publication date: 1863
Publisher: New Haven : Peck, White & Peck
Number of Pages: 886